News

Open digital signage software platform Enplug and restaurant waiting list app Waitlist Me have built a new product integration designed to make it easy for any business to display a list of waiting customers on a digital signage display or TV screen, according to a joint announcement.

Menchie's has opened its newest store in Creve Coeur, Missouri. To celebrate the opening Menchie's will host a seven-day grand opening celebration from Saturday, March 7 to Friday, March 13, packed with free giveaways.

The U.S. restaurant count decreased by about 1 percent from a year ago to 630,964 units, according to a count of U.S. commercial restaurant locations compiled in the spring and fall each year by The NPD Group, a global information company.

The RPI – a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 102.7 in January, which represented the fourth consecutive month above the level of 102.

With most of the country in a deep freeze for the last two weeks – and little relief in sight – spicy foods are a welcome sight on menus. A couple brands are bringing the heat this week with new menu items.

Small business restaurant owners in all segments of the chain restaurant industry, including quick-service, fast casual and table service restaurants strongly support legislative efforts to repeal the unnecessary ethanol mandate, according to a statement from the National Council of Chain Restaurants.

The National Pork Board in partnership with Crimson Hexagon analyzed more than 30 million Facebook, Instagram and Twitter food posts with Crimson Hexagon's ForSight Tool to discover what makes up an American meal.

Costa Vida will be opening new locations in Denver, Vancouver/Portland, Atlanta, Tampa/Sarasota and Northern California this year. Costa Vida will have additional locations popping up in Utah, Arizona, Texas, Idaho and Illinois this year.

Meatheads will be offering a special hot dog on its menu this spring, "The Bickell Dog," created in honor of Chicago Blackhawks Left Winger Bryan Bickell and his wife Amanda and their charity, The Bryan and Amanda Bickell Foundation.